Meeting Minutes: Committee on Family and Consumer Sciences
Meeting Minutes
Academic Advisory Committee on Family and Consumer Sciences
The Regents Academic Advisory Committee on Family and Consumer Sciences met on May 1, 2001, in Dawson Hall, Room 216, at the University of Georgia. Dr. Sharon Nickols, Chair, conducted the meeting. Representation from the following institutions included: Georgia Southern University - Dr. Virginia Richards, Georgia Perimeter College - Dr. Beryle Baker, Floyd College - Carolyn Parks, Middle Georgia College - Judy Lucas, and University of Georgia - Dr. Helen Hall, Dr. Jan Hathcote, and Dr. Nickols. Dr. David Morgan, Georgia Board of Regents liaison was also present. The meeting convened at 10 a.m.
Dr. Morgan shared an update from the University System Office. Concerning the proposed resolution regarding criteria for pre-Kindergarten teacher certification that this committee submitted last year, the chief academic officers of the Board of Regents institutions tabled it. They felt that it was premature to endorse Family and Consumer Sciences' role in developing certification criteria for pre-Kindergarten, early childhood education programs. Their recommendation was to give the Regents Advisory Committee on Education representatives an opportunity to become involved. He shared a proposal for the Associate of Science Degree in Infant and Child Development submitted by Fort Valley State University. No recommendation was solicited from this committee, although individual comments may be made.
The committee discussed with Dr. Morgan the effect of increased academic requirements of high school graduates. Students may be denied admission to institutions within the system if adequate course requirements are not met. Family and Consumer Sciences colleagues had expressed concern to members of the Regents Advisory Committee about meeting the demand for graduates in Family and Consumer Sciences majors if high school students are not aware of career opportunities in the field. Following discussion, the committee decided to request that Regents policy include Family and Consumer Sciences courses as academic courses and that the Regents system clarify its policy if there are changes so that students will know what to expect as they plan courses beginning next Fall.
Representatives from each institution updated the group concerning events or news from their respective campuses.
- Dr. Hathecote discussed enrollment at UGA. Some of the majors with the greatest increase in enrollment are nutrition science, furnishings and interiors, and fashion merchandising. Internationalization of the faculty is being achieved as more diverse faculty are hired.
- Dr. Baker shared that Georgia Perimeter serves a student population of 15,000. A new center in Alpharetta has recently opened. Two areas in education that need to be addressed at Ga Perimeter are (1) field observation for education students and (2) who will teach exceptional child course. She believes that the role of the two year college in the teacher education process needs to be better defined.
- Dr. Richards announced that Georgia Southern University received FIDER accreditation. GSU currently has between 500-600 majors. A grant has been submitted to develop the infant center.
- Carolyn Parks updated the committee concerning the child development program which did not materialize at Floyd College.
- Judy Lucas shared that the Family and Consumer Sciences program at Middle Georgia College is alive and well. Three outstanding students are transferring to UGA and are recipients of generous scholarships. The newly organized Collegiate 4-H Club for which Ms. Lucas serves as advisor helps to identify potential Family and Consumer Sciences majors.
Dr. Virginia Richards accepted the position of secretary and chair-elect for this committee for the academic year 2001-2002.
The committee broke for lunch at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education. The committee later drafted a letter to Dr. Papp, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, asking that consideration be given the inclusion of Family and Consumer Sciences courses as approved academic electives for high school graduation requirements.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy M. Lucas, Secretary
Family and Consumer Sciences